Automotive
GM Investing $44.5 Million In Mich. Plant, Hiring 200
May 21, 2013 10:55 am | by Joel Hans, Managing Editor, Manufacturing.net | News | CommentsLansing, Mich.-based General Motors today announced a $44.5 million investment for its Lansing Grand River Assembly plant, which currently manufactures the Cadillac ATS and CTS. With the investment, the company will build a 400,000 square-foot Logistics Optimization Center and hire 200 additional employees.
GM Giving Paid Internships To 110 HS Students
May 21, 2013 8:10 am | News | CommentsGeneral Motors is kicking the tires on a unique new internship program for Detroit-area high school students. GM has hired 110 students for paid summer internships, the automaker said Monday in announcing the formation of the GM Student Corps, a program that combines service, education and mentoring.
Judge Gives Final Approval To A123 Bankruptcy Plan
May 20, 2013 1:59 pm | by Randall Chase, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsA Delaware bankruptcy judge has given final approval to the reorganization plan of failed battery maker A123 Systems Inc., which was the recipient of a $249 million Department of Energy grant. Monday's court hearing resolved minor outstanding issues following the sale of most of the company's assets to the U.S. arm of Wanxiang Group Corp. for nearly $257 million.
Ex-Saab Execs Arrested On Accounting Charges
May 20, 2013 1:46 pm | News | CommentsProsecutor Olof Sahlgren says the three are "suspected of aggravated attempts to avoid tax controls" by allegedly falsifying parts of Saab's accounts between 2010 and 2011 — a crime that carries a sentence of up to four years in prison.
Silicon Valley-Area Hub Becomes Factory Town
May 20, 2013 8:28 am | by Martha Mendoza, AP National Writer | News | CommentsFrom Tesla Motors, making cutting-edge cars, to Solaria, making solar panels, manufacturers are drawn to Fremont by incentives including a five-year waiver on business taxes, an expedited regulatory process, proximity to Silicon Valley firms and a skilled labor force.
1 Millionth Jeep Wrangler Built At Toledo Plant
May 20, 2013 7:52 am | News | CommentsAuto workers in Toledo celebrated a milestone this past week. The 1 millionth Jeep Wrangler rolled off the assembly line at Chrysler's assembly plant that opened in 2006. Chrysler marked the occasion Friday with a ceremony at the production line.
UAW Study: Nissan Subsidies Top $1.3B
May 17, 2013 1:33 pm | by Jeff Amy, Associated Press | News | CommentsNissan Motor Co.'s Mississippi plant is on track to receive more state aid and tax breaks than what state and company officials have previously revealed, according to a study paid for by the United Auto Workers, which is questioning whether the state is getting enough for its money.
GM Stock Rises Above $33 For First Time In 2 Years
May 17, 2013 1:30 pm | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsShares of General Motors reached an important milestone on Friday, topping their initial public offering price of $33 for the first time in more than two years. The automaker's stock, which has been on a tear since January, reached $33.58 Friday morning before slipping back to $33.52, up 3.5 percent, around midday.
4-month Strike At Peugeot Citroen Plant Ends
May 17, 2013 11:27 am | News | CommentsA four-month strike at a car factory north of Paris has come to an end, although the workers say they will still fight a plan to close the plant. PSA Peugeot Citroen said Friday that it had signed an agreement with the CGT union to end the strike, which started in January. The CGT called the strike "suspended."
China: Cadillac Recalling SUVs To Fix Wheel Nuts
May 17, 2013 7:38 am | News | CommentsChina's product safety agency says General Motors Co.'s main Chinese joint venture is recalling Cadillac SUVs to correct a problem with nuts that hold their wheels in place. The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said Friday that Shanghai GM will recall 2,653 imported Cadillac SRXs.
European Car Sales Up For First Time Since 2011
May 17, 2013 7:36 am | by Colleen Barry, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsNew car registrations in April were up 1.7 percent on the same time last year, the ACEA's latest figures show. Although the April rise has more to do with the two extra work days last month due to an early Easter, sales figures for the year so far gave some cause for hope.
Sage Automotive Interiors Acquires Apo-Tessile Seating Assets
May 16, 2013 3:51 pm | News | CommentsThe Greenville, S.C.-based Sage Automotive Interiors has announced its acquisition of the automotive fabric manufacturing assets of Poland-based Apo-Tessile. Sage says it hopes to better provide new automotive interior products to the European market, and the current facility in Zary, Poland, is positioned to supply cut and sew facilities in central and eastern Europe. The operations will be called Sage Automotive Interiors Poland.
Only 2 Of 13 Small SUVs Do Well In Crash Tests
May 16, 2013 10:17 am | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsSubaru's 2014 Forester was the only vehicle to get a "good" rating. The 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport received an "acceptable" rating. But top-selling models such as the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal" or "poor" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Daimler Unveils New Flagship Mercedes Model
May 16, 2013 8:07 am | by David McHugh, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsThe new S-class sedan was shown off Wednesday in Hamburg, Germany. It has a taller grille that changes its exterior appearance, but the major emphasis was on the technology added to increase driver comfort and safety — and underline Mercedes' image as a maker of advanced vehicles for the well-heeled.
Kobe Aluminum To Expand In Bowling Green, Ky., Create 100 Jobs
May 15, 2013 3:47 pm | by Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce | News | CommentsKentucky Governor Steve Beshear today joined company and local officials to break ground on an 87,000 square foot addition to Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products (KAAP), LLC advanced manufacturing facility in Bowling Green, representing $66 million of new capital investment and the addition of 100 new full-time employees.
Bill Squeezing Out Tesla Passes N.C. Senate
May 15, 2013 7:55 am | News | CommentsThe electric car manufacturer says the bill that passed the Senate unanimously Monday effectively bars it from selling to state residents through its Internet-based model. The bill would require Tesla to go through the state's system of 7,000 franchised dealers by amending the definition of a dealer.
Ford Owners Claim EcoBoost Engine Defective
May 15, 2013 7:48 am | by Dee-Ann Durbin, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsThe lawsuit says more than 100 drivers have complained to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about the V6 EcoBoost rattling or losing power. Ford hasn't recalled any vehicles for the alleged defect, and NHTSA hasn't opened an investigation, which is often the first step in the recall process.
Safety Agency Probes Mazda Door Latch Problem
May 14, 2013 1:44 pm | News | CommentsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has received four complaints that the doors wouldn't latch. In one case, a passenger door opened while a car was being driven. The agency says the owners complained that some of the door-latch mounting screws were missing.
GM To Sell Van Made By Nissan
May 14, 2013 1:27 pm | News | CommentsThe vans will be based on the Nissan NV200 and will be sold at Chevrolet dealers starting in the fall of 2014. It will be called the Chevrolet City Express, and will compete with Ford's Transit Connect, a small van used by florists, plumbers, delivery services and other businesses across the nation.
Kickstarter of the Week: 128 Miles Per Gallon
May 14, 2013 11:48 am | by Eric Sorensen, Coordinator of Multimedia Development | Videos | CommentsToday on PD&D's Kickstarter of the Week, we're exploring the northern reaches of Wisconsin on a gas-powered, DC Lowrider bicycle from Sunny Hill Cycles. The bike features a custom-machined manifold that helps it fit into the frame of the bike, 120-spoke wheels, and pedals that let anyone with a driver's license putter it around on the street.
Honda To Produce New Acura NSX In Central Ohio
May 14, 2013 11:12 am | by Lisa Cornwell, Associated Press | News | CommentsHonda's new version of its Acura NSX sports car will be produced at a new plant inside one of the automaker's former facilities in central Ohio, Honda said Tuesday. The new $70 million plant, called the Performance Manufacturing Center, will be inside the former North American Logistics facility and adjacent to Honda's existing factory in Marysville.
Feds Probe 3 Chrysler Models For Engine Stalling
May 14, 2013 8:31 am | News | CommentsThe agency says it has 54 complaints from owners that engines stalled while the cars were being driven. In all cases the stalling happened after the cars were refueled. Forty-eight of the owners said they had several stalling incidents, and seven said they had trouble restarting the cars.
Nissan Chief Welcomes Yen Fall For Luxury Brand
May 14, 2013 8:08 am | by Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsJapanese automakers have been trying to move production to where their vehicles are sold to reduce risks from a strong yen, which lowers the value of their overseas earnings. But the yen has lost more than 20 percent of its value against the U.S. dollar in recent months.
GM: Supercomputers To Keep Recalls In Check
May 14, 2013 7:40 am | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsThe Detroit automaker, which formally opened the giant data storage center in suburban Warren, Michigan, on Monday, said the changes are examples of how it is moving faster to cut costs and serve its customers better by bringing more computer technology inside the company.
Retail Sales Rise In April On Cars, Clothing
May 13, 2013 10:50 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsAmericans increased their spending in April at retail businesses, buying more cars and clothes while paying less for gas. The rebound from a weak March suggests consumers may help boost economic growth again this spring. Retail sales edged up 0.1 percent in April from March, the Commerce Department said Monday.
